Treatment

The sooner a diabetic foot ulcer is treated, the better the outcome. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Wound Care

Good wound care is important to help the ulcer heal and prevent infection. Follow your doctor's instructions for wound care. Make sure to clean the wound regularly. Change the dressings often to prevent infection.

No Weight-bearing

Constant pressure on the ulcer can make it difficult to heal. Your doctor may ask you to take some pressure off of the ulcer area. You may be given a special cast or boot. These will take the pressure off of your foot, but still allow you to walk.

Blood Glucose Control

Infected ulcers can raise high blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels can then lower the body's ability to fight infections. The high level also keeps the wound from healing.

Improved blood glucose control will help you fight any infections and heal your wounds. This control is often done with adjustments in your diet or medications. Sometimes insulin shots are needed in the short-term until you are healthy again.

Healthy Habits

If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Smoking can slow healing.

Wear proper footwear. Make sure it fits well.

Skin Graft

Some large skin ulcers may have a hard time fully healing even with the treatments above. They may need a patch of skin to help close the wound. This process is called a skin graft.
Bioengineered
skin graft
or human skin graft may be used.

Medication

If the ulcer is infected, your doctor may advise antibiotics. You may need to take the medication for 4-6 weeks. Do not skip doses. Finish the medication as directed.

Your doctor may also recommend a medication to place on the ulcer. The medication may help speed healing.

Surgery

Dead tissue can build up inside and around the wound. This tissue will slow or prevent healing. You may need surgery to remove the dead tissue and clean the wound. This surgery is called
debridement.

Bypass surgery may be needed to improve blood flow to the legs. This surgery uses healthy blood vessels to carry blood past areas of unhealthy blood vessels. The improved blood flow may help with wound healing.

Sometimes an infection is too severe or does not respond to treatment. As a last resort, amputation surgery may be needed. This is the removal of a body part to stop the infection from spreading to the rest of the body.

Other Treatments

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
may help with healing. This therapy is delivered in a chamber. Pure oxygen is pumped into the chamber. This helps to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. The extra oxygen can improve healing.

Another option to help speed healing is using negative pressure wound therapy. A vacuum device and dressing are used to create negative pressure on the wound. This can help the wound heal faster.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.